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Galleria mellonella experimental model for bat fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans and human fungal pathogen

Beth Burgwyn Fuchs1, Sudha Chaturvedi2,3, Rodnei Dennis Rossoni4

  • 1a Division of Infectious Diseases, Rhode Island Hospital , Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University , Providence , RI , USA.

Virulence
|October 6, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Researchers developed a new invertebrate model to study the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the cause of bat White Nose Syndrome (WNS). This model successfully demonstrated fatal disease, immune responses, and histopathological changes for both P. destructans and its relative P. pannorum.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Veterinary Entomology

Background:

  • Pseudogymnoascus destructans causes bat White Nose Syndrome (WNS), but laboratory studies are challenging due to its specific growth requirements and limitations in current disease models.
  • Pseudogymnoascus pannorum, a related psychrophilic fungus, shares physiological traits and can cause rare human skin infections, making it a relevant comparative study subject.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a molecular toolkit for comparative pathogenesis studies of Pseudogymnoascus destructans and Pseudogymnoascus pannorum.
  • To establish a viable invertebrate model for investigating the pathogenesis of these fungi.

Main Methods:

  • Development of an invertebrate disease model using the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella.
  • Infection of G. mellonella with both Pseudogymnoascus destructans and Pseudogymnoascus pannorum.
  • Assessment of disease progression, immune responses, and histopathological changes in the host.

Main Results:

  • Both Pseudogymnoascus destructans and Pseudogymnoascus pannorum caused fatal infections in Galleria mellonella.
  • The experimental infections elicited observable immune responses within the invertebrate host.
  • Histopathological analysis revealed changes consistent with experimental fungal disease in G. mellonella.

Conclusions:

  • The greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) serves as a successful invertebrate model for studying the pathogenesis of Pseudogymnoascus destructans and Pseudogymnoascus pannorum.
  • This model facilitates comparative analysis of fungal virulence and host-pathogen interactions, aiding in the development of tools to study WNS and related infections.
Keywords:
Galleria mellonellaPseudogymnoascus destructansPseudogymnoascus pannorumhistopathologyinfection modelinvertebrate hostsurvival curve

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